Frauds & Scams, General

Combatting Elder Abuse: It’s About Dignity

June 13, 2019 • By

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Last Updated: August 19, 2021

" "This Saturday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), when people all over the world voice support for the rights and dignity of elders and opposition to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.

WEAAD is part of a global movement for “elder justice” that asserts the fundamental dignity and equality of older adults. Elder justice requires us to develop systems, approaches, and programs that prevent abuse, protect people from abusive situations, and support those members of our community who have experienced abuse to help them recover.

Abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are not the inevitable consequences of growing old. We all have a role to play in changing how we talk about elder abuse in this country and around the world. Respecting the dignity and rights of people of all ages is a core American value, and a principle built into many American laws. For example:

  • The Elder Justice Act established programs and initiatives to strengthen the federal response to elder abuse, promote elder justice research, and support state Adult Protective Services (APS) systems. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, contact your local APS office.
  • The Older Americans Act (OAA) created programs and services that help older adults stay healthy and engaged in our communities. You can connect to nutrition, caregiver support, legal assistance, and other OAA programs through Eldercare Locator or by calling 800-677-1116.
  • The Nursing Home Reform Act established a “Resident’s Bill of Rights” for people in most long-term care facilities. It includes the right to privacy, to participate in all aspects of care, to complain without retribution, and to visits from friends and medical providers. If you believe your rights, or the rights of a loved one in a long-term care facility, are being violated, contact your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act protects the civil rights of people with disabilities of all ages and helps make our communities more accessible and age-friendly. State Protection and Advocacy agencies inform and empower people with disabilities by investigating suspected abuse and neglect, and providing free legal representation and support for clients.

Our society is like a building.  Just as buildings need strong supports and secure beams to remain strong, our society needs solid “social” beams so that we can all participate fully in our communities, living free from abuse as we age. As we commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I hope you will join me in lifting up the voices of survivors, and taking action, such as engaging with the older people in your life, empowering members of your community with information, involving students and young people, or by speaking out.

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  1. Joey

    This should be advertised almost daily!
    I’ve tried to reach out to SSA (social security Administrator) numerous times to make a report a few times a week, “no” luck. They never answer back.
    I’ve been watching this elderly lady get used, abused, neglected and her ssi check taken away from her every month for the last “25” years and she has lost “everything”she has ever owned, including her house! SSA did nothing for me!

  2. Lois G.

    This is a touchy subject for me as I lost my husband in 2017 due to a combination of his care and lack of. I reported everything to ISDH and they combined my complaints with an upcoming survey. The nursing home basically thief hands slapped and had to write a policy on having a nurse super present when they evaluated a patient for a wound. He died not long after that skin and bones. They lied to me and on his records and there was nothing I could do to prove it. I talked to an attorney but because I did not take pictures of his bedsores or have an autopsy it would be s he said she said. He said there records said the bedsore at death was almost healed
    And the new nursing admin told me about 3 days before he died he hat if it got any worse I could kill him. Ii know he died of malnutrition dehydration and a serious infection on his hand plus his 3rd bedsore. At the time he was there my hip had deteriorated to bone one bone and I could barely walk. So there was not much I could do except go see him everyday make sure he ate and got water and near the end I couldn’t do that everyday because it became almost impossible to walk or drive. He was the best most honorable man you could meet. knew served in 3 years in the army then for the Pa fire dept then back to Indiana and retired from IPD after 20 years it destroyed me because I couldn’t do anything but watch. No one knows a thing about what really goes on in these places Unless you find yourself someday in a place like Harrison Terrace. He’s gone now and I know there was nothing I could do because of my own health but I’ll never forgive myself until the day I die. America needs to know horror stories happen and no one would believe you until it happens to someone in they love.

  3. Joseph W.

    Dear Mr Robertson et al at SSA,
    I hope this note finds You well
    Keep up the good work
    Best wishes always

    Cordially,

    Joseph W Arabasz MD
    S/P USAF, Top Secret 1964-69
    University of Colorado at Boulder 1972, CU School of Medicine ’75, ’77, ’83
    Past Division Chairman, Anesthesiology, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
    Past Chairman, Respiratory Therapy, Cook County Hospital, Chicago
    Diplomate ABA
    Mensa
    Sigma Xi, The Professional Science Research Society
    http://www.SigmaXi.org
    PO Box 6939
    Denver, CO 80206
    USA
    720-364-2265
    https://groups.google.com/forum/#!categories/nutrition-jwamd
    http://groups.google.com/group/nutrition-jwamd/topics
    http://www.topica.com/lists/josepharabasz@topica.com (2001-2014 site closed/open)

  4. anonymous

    the sick and elderly are being abused by having pain medication withheld by organizations all around the country. they are withholding pain medication from cancer patients also. this is elder abuse, and it is because doctors nationwide are afraid of the DEA. DEA using scare tactics and telling doctors they are prescribing too much without looking into the diagnosis codes, the patients status, or of the patients are in nursing homes, hospice, or palliative care. if you want to help the abuse, read the HHS pain task force final report just published about the cdc guidelines being weaponized nationwide, the laws in every state to limit pain meds, etc. although cancer patients, chronically ill etc were supposed to be excluded, they are not. social media, and news reports nationally are reporting serious increases in suicide the elderly. this is unacceptable. anonymous

  5. Sharon Y.

    My U.S. Bank manager at the Lyndale branch took away my privacy, my dignity, as well as affecting my own personal health when I called to inquire what I.Ds would be needed for a large check.. He started firing questions at me, not interested in the answers. Asking for information that is NONE of his business! Threatened to tell my children what I was doing, even though they aren’t in my life anymore. He threatened to tell my neighbors about it! To freeze all my accounts. I wound up hanging up on him. The next few nights I had nightmares and seizures started to return. I had to increase my Rx to stop that.
    I understand that governments around the world have red flags that banks watch for money laundering, but there must be a balance between a ONE TIME transfer of MY MONEY and illicit, illegal money transfers that are repeated over & over! I use a bank to keep thieves from taking my funds, not to hand over the control of my own funds to some stranger that thinks he can determine if it is a wise way to spend my money. If I want his opinion, I will ask, but he has NO RIGHT to tell me what to do with it. Only keep it from thieves. It woud be better to store it in my mattress!

  6. Donald E.

    there is a fear “I am from the government, here to help you” then the bureaucracy kicks in in and it is to much for the elderly to deal with. If there is a way to reach out to an individual to discuss concerns without filing a complaint and getting tangled up in legal and potential self incriminating discussions, then the services would be much more useful. – Don Haggard

  7. Mr T.

    My request for assistance my case retirement plan.gov pay my ssa income online deposit direct transfer to my account bangkok bank in new york brand! By USE IAT system oversees ,and bangkok bank pay to me in thailand!

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Takaphan. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Since you are living outside of the U.S. you can contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.

  8. Dan

    Your programs are aimed at the middle class and above, as propaganda. You want them to think a certain way. Having been there I can see it from a previous prospective. I have always been self-sufficient. The little money/property I had has been given to supposed live ones.
    I have been taken to the curb. I will be on the street, homeless June 30th. Not the first time….she did it before. Now she has it all. My lovely Niece. Yep, still love her. I hope she “wake up”.
    So many low income rental programs. So many years long waiting lists.
    $300 a month rooms are now $800 or more.

  9. Barbara T.

    Consumer cellular targets the older consumer with cellular service. AARP Advertises this company for phone service $25 a month for unlimited Service plus fees totaling the monthly account to $28 per month. Sound good? To me it did until I was being charged extra for Internet service that was false/usage and then my bill went to $58 a month for using my Internet midnight to 6:00 AM. I am retired I do not get on my Internet on these hours. They explained that maybe I was watching podcasts or movies, I told them that I have records of them charging me while I was asleep. After sending them proof they said they would adjust my billing. They never did and 2 months later I was charged $58 again.
    Please investigate this company.

  10. Diane A.

    I was a victim of elder abuse for 8+ years. She is my brother’s live-in girlfriend. When he left on business trips, she would abuse me viciously. Physical, emotional, and verbal-she did it all! When I tried to tell my brother, his exact words to me were: “I don’t want to hear about it- she’s the one I picked!” I couldn’t afford to move. Finally, last year in March I couldn’t take any more. I tried to get help via phone for hours-police, National Suicide Prevention, senior citizens’ hotline. I had no way out & couldn’t take living with my abuser for another minute. I got in my car & went to my local pharmacy & bought razors. For the next 3 days, I sat in my car & cut my wrists & neck. During this time I had no food or drink & didn’t use a restroom. Eventually I needed to relieve myself but looked horrific so I didn’t want to go to any public facility. I then drove myself to a hospital ER & asked for help going to the restroom. I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything & had not gotten out of my car so I wasn’t certain my legs would hold me up. I never got to finish what I was there for when a nurse spotted me & I got whipped inside & my self-inflicted injuries addressed. My tendons were showing & the next day a plastic surgeon patched me up. Fast forward: after an extended hospital stay, I took out a personal loan, rented a U-Haul, & drove myself from NJ to NC, where I now reside. I was never able to get the preventative help I needed & I’m still bitter about it today. She had no repercussions for what she did to me. It had gotten so bad that I actually considered stabbing her to death while she slept! I’m 76 yo, a retired award-winning teacher,& had had not even a parking ticket but here I was contemplating murder but chose suicide instead. I wish that somehow I could help educate elders about this insidious crime by sharing my story & being a good listener. They’re still together.

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